Beaks here...

What's this? A feature-length documentary about the Ozsploitation movement of the 70s and 80s (which dovetailed with the more respectable Australian New Wave)? Count me in. I remember when The Movie Channel used to run films like ROADGAMES, MAD DOG MORGAN, THE ODD ANGRY SHOT, ESCAPE 2000 (aka TURKEY SHOOT) and RAZORBACK in heavy rotation. I was fascinated by the spooky, otherworldly look of the Australian outback, and the ridiculously macho swagger of the male leads (and, shit, some of the women, too). At their best, these movies operated on a visceral, almost primal level that eluded American trash cinema.

So I'm all for anything that might raise the profile of Brian Trenchard-Smith (technically a Brit, but the man behind ESCAPE 2000, BMX BANDITS and THE QUEST - and, yes, STUNT ROCK) or, in particular, the late Richard Franklin (whose PSYCHO II seems to finally be recognized as a fine film in its own right). Here's our pal Latauro with an ecstatic review...

Initially, I was going to wait until my slightly overdue column to review this, but having seen it this morning, I realise it cannot wait.

NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD is a documentary about Ozploitation films. It's about to premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival. It's a prime example of everything a documentary should be.

I'm not sure how to feel after seeing this film, as I never fully understood how gaping the hole in my knowledge of my own country's cinema actually was. I'd heard of most of the films mentioned here, but I hadn't seen many of them. This is partly because I wasn't born at the right time to see them, partly because most of them aren't available on any format, but mostly because these films just don't get talked about the way classic trash of, say, America does. Also compounding my ignorance is the fact that Quentin Tarantino seems to know just about everything about Australian cinema, as he features quite prominently (and, oddly, quite appropriately) in the film.

The film is directed by Mark Hartly, who should be able to write his own ticket after this. It basically covers the period in Australian cinema (from about the 60s/70s onwards) where films were pushing the boundaries of sex and violence and exploitative content. Almost every single person involved in these films is interviewed, as well as many of the major critics, and yet nothing feels rushed. It's got a breakneck pace to it, but it knows exactly what to do with it.

Included in the many interviews is the late Richard Franklin, who passed away soon after filming his part for the doco; Barry Humphries (aka Dame Edna), who has some of the best and most insightful one-liners; and the afore-mentioned Tarantino, whose encyclopaediac knowledge of films that most Australians have never heard of is very impressive. His inclusion isn't as unnecessary as you may think. Greg McLean (who's also in this) was famously having trouble getting funding together for WOLF CREEK because he wanted to cast John Jarrat. Tarantino, in the country to promote KILL BILL, happened to mention that his favourite Aussie actor was Jarrat, and started reeling off all the films he'd done. Soon after, WOLF CREEK was green lit. Seeing both of these guys talking about these films, alongside the guys who made them such as Brian Trenchard-Smith and Everett De Roche, gives us every angle we could want on these.

My only criticism? It ends. Had the film been twice as long, I doubt anyone in the audience would have complained. It's just that good.

But it's not simply entertaining. It's essential viewing. It necessarily contains the nudity, sex and violence that it discusses, and this will probably garner it a high rating. Even so, I hope this somehow manages to get an exemption from classification, as it should be shown to every high school media student, every uni film student, and, well, anybody in this country. And, really, any other.

It is a perfect film, and, regardless of your country, if you consider yourself a fan of film, you simply must see it.

Peace out,

Latauro

AICNDownunder@hotmail.com